Tech Update – July 2009

Texas Has a New Child Safety Seat Law and Seat Belt Law!

Effective September 1, 2009, Texas will have a new child safety seat law as well as a change in the current seat belt law. Technicians will likely be getting lots of questions and can help educate the public regarding the new occupant protection laws in Texas.

The law states that children under 8 years of age – unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches – will need to be in a child safety seat system (this includes traditional child safety seats with harnesses and booster seats). Many are referring to this new law as the ‘booster seat law’ because it will extend the current law to cover older children who need to ride in booster seats. Until this law was passed, Texas was among only six remaining states that did not have a law to protect booster-age children.

According to the new law, once a child reaches 8 years old OR a height of over 4 feet 9 inches, he/she will not be legally required to use a child safety seat system. Thus, a child who is 8 years old but is not yet 4 feet 9 inches tall will be able to legally use the vehicle lap/shoulder belt and not need to be in a child safety seat system. Best practice, however, is that children not ride in the vehicle lap/shoulder belt until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Although the new child safety seat law will become effective on September 1, 2009, warnings will be issued to violators of the new law until June 1, 2010. After June 1, 2010, citations will be issued. Please note, however, that the current Texas child passenger law will continue to be enforced until the citation phase of the new law becomes effective. Current law states that all children younger than 5 years of age and less than 36 inches tall are required to travel in a child safety seat system, used according to its directions. It also classifies a safety seat infraction as a moving violation.

Other changes to the law that will take effect on September 1, 2009, include changing the definition of a passenger vehicle to include 12 and 15 passenger vans. All passengers in 12 and 15 passenger vans will now be subject to the same laws that affect passenger vehicles.

Also, the seat belt law has been amended so that ALL passengers, including adults, in any position in the vehicle that has a seat belt will be required to be restrained by a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

The following link to the Texas Legislature’s website shows the law as passed by 81st Legislative session (click on text tab at the website): http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB61.

Fee Increase for Re-Certification

Beginning October 1, 2009, the fee for technician re-certification will increase from $40 to $50. Also, the fee for taking the certification course will increase from $60 to $75. Please keep in mind that you may re-certify up to four months before your expiration date. For some, this may help to save the increased costs.

Save the Date!

Source: CPS Board TECH UPDATE – Winter 2008

2009 LATCH Quiz

Safe Ride News has published the new 2009 LATCH manual quiz. It may be completed for one CEU (must get at least 8 out of 10 questions correct). Only one LATCH quiz (either 2007 or 2009) may be applied to a certification cycle.

Available at http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=3Cd-WhtWF02Yfog6Y6ALQg.

Download the quiz from http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=n_wQFaK8lBW8fr1Sm_QMhw and keep the completed quiz for your re-certification record and in case you are audited.

Program Reminders

Re-certification Reminder

CEU types, details, audit requirements: http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=_OTleyPSkr5vDpiBJSsurg.

Re-certification FAQs go to http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=iNMnaaro2B9O3rXJwpam3A. You may re-certify up to four months before your certification expiration date. Avoid problems – don’t delay!

Basic re-certification requirements and deadlines:

Details at http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=8l81tQfsFZ7tBafgMDjsPg.

Register and pay the re-certification fee before your certification expiration date.

To get to the payment screen, you must have:

  1. Completed all five seat checks (entered and CPSTI approved).
  2. Entered at least six CEUs.
  3. Entered your community event information.

Once all three are done, you will see a “Click Here to Continue” button that will take you to the payment screens.

Once your registration is complete, your re-certification will be processed in two to four days.

A PowerPoint or PDF with instructions on how to re-certify, including screen shots, are available under Resources --> Instructions. Go to http://sk.convio.net/site/R?i=Bcgfzj1QwKYcBB1rvw8lmQ.

There is also a presentation on how to safely transport children in Head Start. The course is designed to be taught to a group of Head Start parents, Head Start Policy Council, or administration by a currently certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

The presentation materials, including the PowerPoint presentation with presenter notes, course planner, handouts, and evaluation, can be found at: http://fcs.tamu.edu/safety/passenger_safety/certified-tech/index.php.

Five CEUs Available Online from Texas AgriLife Extension Service Passenger Safety

Technicians may earn 5 CEUs by taking an online course posted on the Passenger Safety website. To register, go to: http://extensiononline.tamu.edu/login.php?CourseId=109.

CEU Opportunities

Source: CPS Express, February and March 2009

 

 

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Last updated: 16 September, 2009

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

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